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Note: DEPOSITION GIVEN IN 1896 for his mother's widows pension:
Charles William Gardner stated that he resided at the ranch at Wooden Valley and that his mother had not remarried. "Father left this ranch of 1460 acres of land about 220 acres of which was tillable land and the rest is hill land or mountainside. There was then about $15000 debt against the estate, I think. The ranch was then appraised at $15,000 and I do not recollect what the other property was appraised at. In January of 1887 the bank that holds the mortgage on the ranch was pressing mother very hard for some payment on the debt, but they would not take any further security on the ranch, and mother was not able to get anyone else to take the loan off their hands. I think mother has had the ranch in the real estate agency for sale since about 1884, but never has had any offer for it. About 1891 she sold about 68 acres of the tillable land for about $4600. I paid that money into the bank. The field sold at that time was the best field in the ranch. The rest of the ranch would not have sold at that time. From 1887 to 1890 the ranch was rent at share rent for on fourth of the __?__. My brother James was attending to the renting those years, but I do know it was not enough to pay the interest on the mortgage. From Oct 1890 to Oct 1893 it was rented as a dairy ranch. Mother furnished the ranch and cows and was to receive one half of the butter. She hired cows and put them on the place. She paid $250 a year for the use of the cows. She received something over $200 for her share over and above what she paid for their use. Less the next year..and the next year we discontinued the dairy business. Since Oct 1893 I have been managing the ranch, and have not been able to make enough off it any year to pay the interest. No one helps me with the ranch. The stock and ? on the ranch belong to me.
Some days mother feels pretty good and other days she will be in bed all day. She suffers from sick headaches and some stomach troubles. When she gets bad I generally take her into my brother's place in the town of Napa and leave her there for treatment by the doctor. She employs Dr. Hennesey of Napa. At the time my father died she had typhoid pneumonia and I think that afflicts her some. She has not since 1887 been able to do her housework alone and a good deal of the time she has been able to do none of it. During the time the ranch was rented mother and I boarded most of the time at the hotel. (1887 to 1893)
According to George Frank Gardner's deposition "after she left the hotel she kept house for two of my brothers, but at that time she could do but little work. Since she has been back on the ranch they have kept some person there most of the time to look after her and Charles does most of the housework. It is not considered safe to leave her alone. Mother sometimes stays with me when in town.
WILL OF CHARLES WILLIAM GARDNER--4 December 1916
In the name of God, amen, I, C. William Gardner, of the county of Napa, State of California, of the age of fifty-eight years, and being of sound and desposing mind and memory.....
I appoint Maria T. (Gardner) Johnson the Executrix of this my last will and testament, and incase I should survive her, then in her stead my niece, Francis Marie (Johnson) Watson, and in the event of the appointent of either, the one so appointed is to act and qualify without bonds.
I bequeath unto John H. Gardner, Geroge F. Gardner and James B. Gardner, my brothers, and Nacy Adah Hill, my sister, each the sum of One Hundred (100) dollars.
I give devise and bequeath the real property situate in Wooden Valley, Napa County, comprising about Five Hundred and Thirty-five acres of land, and know as the "Gardner Ranch" with all livestock, machinery, household furniture and other personal property belonging thereto, and upon which I am now residing to Maria T. Johnson, my sister, and Wlliam R. Johnson, my nephew, my said sister to take, have and enjoy her share of the same during the term of her natural life, and upon her death ther said share to go to and vest in her son, William R. Johnson. I give devise and bequeah unto my niece, Francis Marie Watson, all the rest, residue and remainder of my property, whether real or personal, and wherever situate.
Witnessed by Frank Coombs, Nathan Coombs, attorneys. William died July 30, 1917 -- PETITION FOR PROBATE
The petition valued the Gardner Ranch at $9000--the improvements of said realty: a dwelling house, barns and outhouses; vineyard and orchard. Personal property consisted of 2 young mares, 2 old mares, 1 horse, 2 discs., 2 single plows, 1 harrow , 1 cultivator, 1 corn cultivator, 1 hay rake, 2 sets harness, 1 old saddle, 10 tons hay, 1 four horse wagon, 1 two horse wagon. Personal property was valued at $1500. Maria sold the two mules and four horses, claiming they were not essential to the running of the ranch. James B. made a claim as a creditor for $5735, but this claim was rejected in toto by Maria.
The petition states that John Gardner, age 67 is currently a resident of Boise, Idaho; George Gardner, age 60 resides in the city of Napa; James B. Gardner, age 58, resides in city of Napa; Maria Johnson, age about 54, resides in Napa County; Nancy Adah Hill, age abt. 50, resides in Oakland, CA.
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